Interlocked-step construction



A S HUGHES IN'TEfgLocKED STEP CONSTRUCTION Filed April 21, 192g Ancien!! 4 MAM.

Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

ARTHUR SHERIDAN HUGHES, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

INTERLO CKED-STEP CON'STRUCIION.`

Application filed April 21, 1922. Serial -N-o. 555,908.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be 1t known that I, ARTHUR S. HUGHES,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and 5 State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Interloclred-Step Constructions (Case B), of which the following' is a specification.

This invention relates to stair construction, particularly to that type in which the steps consist of metallic risers and thread members, the latter being covered or filled with plastic material; and has for its object the provision of novel means for inter- F locking the treads and risers so as to provide a rigid structure, in which the parts cannot become separated or displaced.

An important and more .specific object is the provision of a structure ofthis cha-racter in which the risers and tread members are formed with flanges between which are disposed elements which have the combined functions of braces, spacers and locks.

rllhe construction, arrangement and utility 25 of the structure will be readily comprehended from a. study of the description taken-in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, though it is to be distinctly understood that the detailed disclosure is 3 merely the exemplification of a number of preferred embodiments of the invention, and that l reserve the right to adopt many variations and make such modifications as will widen the field of its usefulness, provided always that suc-h changes involve no departure from the salient features of the invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a step constructed in accordance with one form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section on the lin 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a cross section disclosing a second form;

Figure 5 is a cross section through a third form;

Figure 6 is a similar view showing a fourth modification;

- Figure 7 is a section showing a fifth modification v Figure 8 is a similar View illustrating a sixth modification;

Figure 9 is a cross section through a seventh form; Y

Figure 10 is a similar view showing an eighth modification; f

Figure 11 is a section through a ninth form;

Figure '12 is a detail perspective View oi'. the lock or brace used in the last-disclosed form.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A designates a tread member, B designates a riser, while C designates the usual horizontally disposed bolt or stay rod which is commonly provided in stair construction of this type at the juncture of the tread member with the riser. The tread member and riser are formed in one piece, as disclosed in my companion application No. 555,907. It is not thought necessary to show this in the present application. i

InV Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, I have shown the tread member as formed, forwardly of the stay rod, with a forwardly and downwardly inclined bottom wall or portion 10, at the end of which is formed a vertical wall or flange 11. The riser is formed at its upper end with a corresponding and contacting inclined portion or shelf 12 and vertical flange or wall 13, which conforms toengage against the inclined bottom wall or portion 10 and flange or wall 11, respectively. Formed integrally at the upper edge of the vertical wall or flange 13 is a nose piece lll which is pressed or otherwise formed to define al longitudinal channel 15, within which is held a strip or block 16 of non-4 slipping material which projects above the top of the nose piece. Instead of a channel Y ci and a strip or block of material, a series of spaced sockets with material in each socket may be employed, as disclosed in my aforesaid companion application. The wall or flange 13 is spaced from and cooperates with the adjacent side of the channel portion 15 to define a recess or pocket into which lits the upper edge of the vertical wall or flange 11.

The letter D designates plastic material which rests upon and in actual practice is molded upon the treadjmember A and has its top surface flush with the top face of the nose piece 14. The latter is partiallyembedded in the plastic material.

While the above described parts consti-- tute an interlocking' connection for the tread member and riser, I find it advisabletopro# vide spacing and bracing means, which in the present instance is illustrated as consisting of short sections 17 of channel iron or the like, 'which are arranged at spaced intervals throughout the width of the step, and have their lower ends inclined to rest upon the inclined portion 10 of the.y tread member and their upper endsy engaging against the underside of the channel'portion.

In Figure l I have shown the nose piece 18 as being plain, that is, not provided with the nonslipping strip holding channel above described, the nose piece being, however, formed at its free edge'with a depending flange 19. Thetread memberis formed at its front edge with an upwardly extend'- ing flange 20, Vwhich is not as high' as the corresponding flanges' 11 orF the"`{firstdescribed form. However, I makeiuse of exactly the same spacing members 17 'as in Figures 1, 2- and 3 which are positioned and which function in the saine way.Y

In Figure 5 the construction is exactly the same as in Figure 4, except? that the forward portion of the tread member is straight or horizontal instead of inclined, as shown in Figures 1 and '4.

In Figure G the construction Vis the same as inA Figure 5, exceptthat instead 'of the spacing members 17, I 'provide' spacing members 21 which are of Vacute `angular shape, that is, similar in, shape to the numeral 7, there beingja horizontal leg 22 which bears against the underside of the nose piece, andA aninclined body portion whichv extends 'diagonally from the Vangle formed by the flange 19 of the nose piece to the angle formed by the flange 2() extending from the4 tread member;v

In Figure 7 the tread member and riser are shown as having' contacting inclined portions 10, 12 at the front edge, 'as in Figures 1 and 1l, though the nose piece.is

of exactly the same formation as in Fig' ures Ll, 5 and 6. The locking means in this instance consists of any number of spaced inverted L-shape members 23, which have vflanges 31 formed with verticalflanges their lower edges engaging in the angle at the juncture of the flange 2O with the inclined bottom portion 10 of the tread and have their upper or horizontal portions 241 disposed against the underside of the nose `jacentside ofthe channel portion 15a to define a pocket, within which is engaged theupper ends of angularly shaped braces 26, which are inclined, as shown, and have their-lower ends engaged in the angle at the juncture of the fiange 2O with the tread member. In this form it is likewise to be observed that the contacting portions of the tread member and riserrv are horizontal, as in Figures 5 and 6, though they may be inclined as in Figures l1., and 7, if desired.,

Figure E) shows another` variation over Figure 8. rhis particular modification shows the nose piece as havingl a non-slip strip receiving channel 15b, having lits bottom inclined downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the front edge of the step. The locking and supporting vmeans in this instance consists of a series of angular members 28, which have their Vlower endsengaged in the angle formed by the juncture of the flange 2O with the body ofthe tread member and have their upper flanges 29 engaging against the bottom of the channel.

Figure 10 shows a "form which varies 'from Figure 1 in the utilization of a different type of spacing and locking means, which is shown yas consisting of a plurality of angularly shapedsupports or members 30, which have their lower ends engaging in theangle of the flange 20, and have their upper fianges 31bearing flat against the underside lof the channel member 15C, with the free edges of these J0 fitting within the pocket vdefined lbetween the vertical wall portion 13 at the forward edge of the step and the adjacent side of the channel member.'

Figure 11 differs from Figure 10 in illustrating another forni of bracing and locking means, which consists of a series of members, each of which includes plate portions 33 and 34 arranged at right angles to each other, with the end of one projecting beyond the end of' the other. rIhe plate vportion 33 has its lower end engaging upon the bottom wall or portion' 10 of the tread member, and its upper end engaging against the underside of the vchannel member 15a, while the plate member 34 has its lower end engaging upon the top of the flange and its upper end received within the pocket defined between the vertical portion 13 at the front of the step and the adjacent side of the channel member.

In all the forms of the device it will be seen that regardless of whether the nose piece be formed to retain a strip of nonslipping material, or whether it be formed plain, I have provided ample means for bracing and interlocking the nose piece with respect to the lower portion of the step; that is to say, with respect to the contacting portions of the tread and the riser, so that there will be no tendency toward collapsing. It is to be noted that the various shapes of the supporting and locking members will taire care of all modifications in the specific construction of the nose piece. As the locking elements are themselves embedded within the plastic material which forms the tread proper, it is apparent that there is no possibility of their becoming displaced even after prolonged use, and it is consequently obvious that the structure should have the maximum degree of strength in `addition to its other manifest advantage of simplicity.

I have shown the locking elements in separate pieces. They could be made in one piece, if desired, so as to extend the full width of the step.

The nose piece being formed integral with the vertical wall or flange of the riser may be regarded as a flanged continuation of the latter.

Some of the claims of this application are generic to the construction 'shown in my companion application No. 555,909.

`What is claimed is z# I. In a stair construction, a step including a riser and a tread member, both formed of sheet metal with interfitting vertical flanges at the front edge of the step forming the nose thereof, and locking means interposed between the tread and riser and engaging said flanges.

2. In a-stair construction, a step including a riser and a tread member, both formed of sheet metal with interlitting vertical flanges at their front edges, the riser having a horizontal flange at the top of the vertical flange, and locking means interposed' between the tread and riser' and engaging said horizontal flange of the riser and the tread member, said locking means being formed of separate elements arranged at intervals.

3. In a stair construction, a step including a riser and a tread member, both formed of sheet metal, a nose piece extending inwardly over the tread member from the riser, and spaced from the tread member, and combined spacing, bracing` and locking means engaging said nose piece and said tread member.

4. In a stair construction, a step includinga riser and a tread member, both formed of sheet metal with interlitting vertical flanges,

a nose piece formed by an integral contini? ation of the vertical flange of the riser and covering the front edge of the step and spaced from the tread member, and bracing and spacing means disposed between and engaging the nose piece and tread member.

5. .ln a. stair construction, a step including a riser and a tread member both formed of sheet metal with interfitting vertical flanges at the front edge of the step, a nose piece formed integrally with the vertical flange of the riser and extending inwardly from the front edge of the step, and bracing and spacing means disposed between the nose piece and tread member, and engaging said flanges whereby to constitute locking means.

6. In a stair construction, a step including a riser, a tread member both formed of sheet metal with interfitting flanges at the nose of the step, a nose piece formed upon the riser and overlying the tread member, and combined locking and bracing means en gaged between the tread member and nose piece and located wholly at the nose of the step.

7. In a stair construction, a step including a tread member of sheet metal formed at its front edge with an upstanding flange, a riser of sheet metal formed with a vertical portion disposed against said flange and forming the front edge or nose of the step, the vertical portion of the riser being continued inwardly to form a nose piece overlying but spaced from the tread member, and bracing means disposed between the tread member and nose piece.

8. In a stair construction, a tread member having its bottom wall inclined downwardly and a vertical flange extending upwardly from its front edge, a riser having at its upper end an inclined shelf to receive the inclined bottom wall of the tread member, a vertical wall extending upwardly from the riser and constituting the front wall of the step, and an inturned flange provided on the upper end of the vertical wall, said inturned flange having its upper face. substantially flush with the top of the tread surface of the tread member.

9. In a stair construction, a tread member having an upstanding flange at its front edge, and plastic material provided on said tread member and constituting the tread surface of the step, a riser having its upper end formed with a shelf to receive the front portion of the tread member, a vertical flange extending from the outer end of the shelf, and an inturned flange at the upper edge of the vertical flange, the flanges of the tread member and riser in'l'erlitting, said inturned flange constituting a nose piece.

l0. In a stair construction, a tread inember provided at its front edge with an upstanding `flange, and having plastic material supported thereon and constituting the tread surface of the step, a riser having at its upper end a shelf supportingthe front end of the tread member, a verticalangei extending upwardly from the shelf Iand forming the front face of the step, and4 any inturned fiange extending from the vertical flange and partially embedded in the plastic material of the step, said iiituriied flange` forming a nose piece.

11. In a stair construction, the tread member having at is front end anv upstanding iange and provided with plasticmaterial thereon constituting th-e tread surface of the step, `a riser having at its upper yend a shelf supporting the front edge of the tread'- member, a vertical Wall extending upwardly from the shelf anclforining the front face of the step, and an'inturned flange extending from the vertical AWall and forming a nose -piece for the step, said inturiied flange being pivotally einbedded'in the plastic-inai terial and having a recess to receive a filling of non-slipping4 material.

12. In a stair construction a stei includ-V ing a riseranda treadmeinber, both formed With interlittin'g flanges, and a nose piece V formed integral With the riser and having a depending channel forming portion to receive non-slipping material.

13. In a stair construction, a step including a riser and a tread member both formed With interlitting anges, and 'a nose-pieceformed integralwitli the riser and havingy aV depending channel forming portion to receive non-slipping material, anda bracing means forming portion and the tread member.

14. In a stair constructioma tread mein-f.` bei and a riser 'formed With interfitting flanges, a nose piece `formed integral with.4 the riser, plastic material supported` on the tread member and in which the nose piecev `is partially embedded, and a bracing means interposed between the nose piece andthe tread member and also yembedded in the'.

plastic material.

15. In a stair construction, a treadmem-` ber and a riser having interfitting ,flangesf a nose piece formed integral iviththe riser and extending inwardly therefrom, `plastic material upon the tread member, saidvnose'u piece having a depending channel, and a bracing means interposed between the chan-` nel and the tread member and imbedded in the plastic material.

16. In a stair construction, a tread meinber formed at its front edge `with an upstanding flange, a riser having its upper end formed With a shelf to receive thefrontf edge of the tread member, a vertical flange.

extending upwardly from the shelll and bearing against the flange of the tread meine l ber and forming the front face of the step,

interposed between the channel.

a nose piece formedintegral :Withftheupper 5 end of the vertical Wallandextending in` Wardly; above thetreadfmember, plastic maf: s

i terial `resting upon Vthe 'tread-member and .arranged substantially .flushsivith Ythe upperface ofthenose piece, andl bracing means interposed-betweenlthe nose piece. and; the tread. member.

17. In a stair` construction,.a treadmem--- lbeiuforming. -at i-ts liront-edg-emvith an up-k standingflange; a risen'havingiitsupper end formed with a shelf ;to ,-ieceivethef.front extending.upwardly from-the shelf andy bearing againstv theiflangewof rthe tread member andvforming the .frontfface :of the' .edge-'of the treadmember, a vertical flange.-

step,.a nosefipiecef-formedfintegral With `the upper' end off the-vertical Wall; and-.extending inwardly; abovethe ,treadnnem-ber, plastic material restingaipon' -the lftread Imemberand i arranged-- substantially.- flush; With the upper',v i

face4 `of -thenose piece, 'andi bracing 1 means. interposed betweenethe 1 fnosef :piece .and the i. tread wniember," said x :bracing iiieaiisaengag- 1. ing the flange of the tread memberf-andembeddedin the plastic. materiales.

18. In a stair construction', atread mein ber'having-.at-its.froiitfedge-a vertical flange,'

va riser lia-ving at its upperiendza shelfwto receive `the front edgezof thetreadnnember, a vertical Wall-extending upwardly from the shelf, andan inturnedange at thelupper end of the vertical Wall, said int'urnedflai'ige.,Y

having a depending socketfto receive nonslipping materiali, plastic :material .resting upon the .treadcfmember-"andfihavingitslf .upper surface substantially flushnviththe upper face of said.fiange,;wanda bracing means engaging the' socketfand thefbottom.r Walliof the tread member.

19.1In a stair construction, a tread A:mein-y ber having its -front edge formed With a verticalfiiange; a riser ,having @its upper end Aformed with a shelf to receive -tlieffront- A ledge'iof the'treadrmeniber, a verticalwall.- :extending upwardlyy from thet shelf, and an inturned flangeA Aprovided at ithe: upper end of the vertical Wall, said .upturned flange;

constituting `a nose ypiece'fplastic material placed upon the tread member .and-having its upper surface substantially? flushivith,y

the` upper face. of saidf vnose piece, Vfand-fv bracing means interposed betweenl theunderyside of thenose piece andthe. front edgeyorn in the plastic f vertical ange, a riser having its upper end formed with a shelf to receive the front edge of the tread member, a vertical Wall extending upwardly from the shelf, said Vertical Wall fitting against the vertical flange of the tread member, and a nose piece having a depending channel spaced from the vertical Wall of the riser to form a pocket to receive the vertical flange of the tread member and become interloeked therewith.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

ARTHUR SHERIDAN HUGHES. 

